What are some tricks to help my toddler stay in his bed?

Question

He's now in his own bed in his own room. Previously he was sleeping in my bed. He wakes up about one time a night and says he's scared. He just wants me to be there with him. What should I do?

Answer 1

May I ask: Does it really disturb you if he sleeps with you in your bed or your room? If possible I would take my child to my bed or at least in my room. I think that he needs just a little more time before he "leaves" you to sleep in his bed and his room on his own.

Answer 2

Buy him a sleeping bag and tell him that if he's very, very scared, he can sleep on the floor in his special sleeping bag. But tell him that you get to put it in the place of your choice. Start with it near your bed, then move it about a foot or two away each time. Finally, you'll end up back in his room, and he can just sleep in the sleeping bag on his bed.

Answer 3

You can be firm by just saying to him every night, "there is nothing to be afraid of I am here right down the hall. You need to be a big boy and sleep in your own bed." Sometimes a night light helps or leaving the door open a crack so he knows that you'll hear him. Always try to keep your bedtime routine the same, tubby, story. drink of water, etc. Give him a stuffed animal and hug it and say "you'll be okay because I gave your bear a hug, when I hug your bear it will make sure that it will keep you safe since I hugged him." It may or may not work not all kids fall for that kind of stuff but its a good try. I think it would be best if you went cold turkey..unless your boy is sick or theres a thunderstorm. You can always ask your pediatrician for advice. Parents forget they're more than just a doctor!

Answer 4

Go in put him back down pat him on the back tell him good night and walk out.

Answer 5

bed time stories

Answer 6

When we transitioned from a family bed to solo sleeping, my daughter would get out or call to me at some point, too, and I'd just bring her to bed with me for the rest of the night.  Knowing that I was there if she needed me made her pretty comfortable pretty quickly and I would say it was maybe a month of that, on and off, and she was sleeping all night by herself.  It also afforded me a benefit later:  When she wakes up at 7 AM, I can pull her into bed with me and get a half hour or hour more of rest while she snuggles up.  

Anyway, just try to be patient, this is a big, big transition for him!  (And for you!)